The crops are taken from the original images, saved as High Quality JPEGs in Photoshop CS2 and presented here at 100%. Each number represents 100 lines per picture height (lpph), so a figure of 20 means a resolution of 2000 lpph.

Fitted with the standard Nikkor DX 18-55mm II kit lens, the Nikon D40x delivers 2150 lpph of horizontal and vertical resolution. This ranks it comfortably above the 6 Megapixel D40 using the same lens, and essentially neck-in-neck with the D80 when it’s also fitted with the same lens. This is an expected result as the D40x is equipped with the same sensor as the D80.

The D40x’s image processing though is different from the D80 and much closer to the punchier output of the D40 as standard. As a result, the D40x samples below exhibit much greater in-camera sharpening than the D80 and Canon 400D / XTi, although it’s possible to adjust this (or shoot in RAW) if desired.

It’s finally revealing here to compare the output from the Nikon bodies against the Canon. The Canon 400D / XTi is capable of essentially matching the resolving power of the Nikon 10 Megapixel bodies, but you’ll need to equip it with a better lens – sadly the Canon EF-S 18-55mm really lets the side down. A respectful nod to Nikon then for making its kit 18-55mm lens noticeably superior to that of its oldest and closest rival. To find out more about the various standard lens options available for Nikon DSLRs, check out our Nikkor kit lens group test.